Kindred Souls Complete Series: Books 1-4

Chapter Twenty-Six

The crowd of millingdragons parted as Indigo and the man drew closer to each other, walking as if they were in some kind of trance. They halted an inch from each other, the bond so strong between them I could almost see the tendrils connecting them.

I’d never seen it played out this way. Was this what it looked like with my kindreds to everyone else when we found each other? It was beautiful. They both had such awed expressions on their faces, filled with delight and tentative hope, it made my heart ache.

Tears stung my eyes as they embraced, burying their faces in each other’s necks. I glanced over at Elora to see how she was handling it and she was smiling wide with tears shining on her cheeks, not the slightest sign of jealousy or frustration.

Bastian stepped through the crowd and into my line of sight, his gaze on me. I knew better than to expect the same even though everything in me screamed out to cross over to him, a string of my bond unfinished and unattached.

I forced myself to be the one who broke away first, fulfilling my promise to respect his choice. Indigo and her new kindred had stepped away from each other and a ring of dragons surrounded them, chattering and congratulating them over the discovery of the bond.

“This is amazing. I can’t believe this is happening.”

Aster had a shrewd expression on his face. “The timing could not be better either.”

I scrunched my nose at his political view though I couldn’t deny he had a point. This could weigh heavily in our favor.

Whist tugged me away from Aster. “Come on. Let’s get something to eat. They let me play in their kitchens today.”

Happiness bubbled up in my chest, almost salivating at his words. “I’ve missed your cooking.”

He looked at me with determination set in his face. “After this, you’ll never have to miss it again.”

My heart melted at the rare romantic comment from my stern and serious assassin. Sky and Saber came with us, leaving Aster and Elora to make their way to Indigo through the throng around them.

Whist filled a plate for me so high I wasn’t sure where to start without sending it all to the floor, especially eating it one-handed.

“You”ll have to share this with me. I can’t eat all of it.”

Whist nodded and guided me over to a few chairs scattered around the edge of the hall, his hand inside the back of my dress, his fingers stroking my skin.

While we eat, I watched the dragons celebrate. It was a bit similar to the ball back at the palace in Faligrey, people milling about and talking and laughing and dancing, the fancy clothes. The biggest change was there was no class difference here. The leaders of the Assembly danced and ate with and beside those who served—the laundry workers, the soldiers, the kitchen staff, the vendors. I couldn’t imagine the nobles of Faligrey doing such a thing.

A snort escaped me as I imagined how that awful teacher I’d been forced to meet with would react. It would horrify her.

It bothered me that I could find so little I disliked about the dragon lands, that I hadn’t unearthed any disturbing secrets. There had to be something, some way they could improve.

The only complaint I had was their rigid control of their borders and I did miss the sunlight.

Kira approached, breaking up my musings. “It’s time for your performance.”